UDFA WR Beaux Collins has gotten the New York Giants’ attention

Collins impressing thus far in bid for roster spot

The New York Giants have an opening on their roster at wide receiver after the season-ending injury suffered a few days ago by Bryce Ford-Wheaton. They also have a self-proclaimed desire to add toughness to their team.

Enter Beaux Collins.

A 6-foot-3, 202-pound undrafted free agent rookie who played collegiately at Clemson and Notre Dame, the 22-year-old Collins has impressed the Giants with his receiving, his toughness, and his professionalism.

Head coach Brian Daboll on Thursday called Collins a “young professional.”

“Handles his business the right way. I’m talking about outside the building too, all the things that you’re trying to teach young players to do, take care of your body, eat right, do all those things,” Daboll said. “And then, he’s smart, he’s picked up our system really well and he’s shown toughness, and I talked about this after the draft – we kind of placed a high premium on bringing guys that have some toughness to them and I’d say he fits right in with those young guys that we picked.

“He’s got good size, he’s got speed, he’s got the ability to change direction for a bigger man, he’s going to have to – special teams will be important too for him. He’ll have some opportunities there.”

Considering his background, it should not come as a surprise that Collins doesn’t shy away from contact.

“I grew up playing running back and linebacker so I had a physical background just to start off and I kind of got away from it once I switched to receiver a little bit but I love to go in there and hit a little bit,” Collins said on Thursday. “It keeps me on my toes and keeps my eyes up and things like that. I love to do it.

“A lot of guys expect us to go in there tiptoeing and things like that but I have to set the tone, whether that’s in practice or in a game.”

Daboll appreciates the competitive toughness.

“We talk about the big guys which set the tone for a game, the offensive linemen, defensive linemen, playing physical, controlling the line of scrimmage, but the smaller skill guys, you want toughness out of them as well,” Daboll said.

Collins had a productive college career, catching 132 passes for 1,780 yards and 14 touchdowns. He tested well in the pre-draft process, but still went undrafted.

Collins ended up as one of five undrafted wide receivers the Giants signed, with Da’Quon Felton, Jordan Bly, Juice Wells and Dalen Cambre being the others.

Late in spring practices, Collins began receiving occasional first-team reps. With Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt all missing varying amounts of practice time thus far, that has continued into training camp.

“I feel like my God-given abilities and things like that are going to allow the coaches to put me in the best position to go out there and ball, and that’s what they’re doing,” Collins said. “I’m making plays left and right, blocking, catching the passes. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Daboll and the Giants are clearly intrigued.

“We’ve thrown him in with a variety of groups, the first team, the second team, the third team, and we’ve played him at some different spots,” Daboll said. “He’s progressing. He’s an interesting guy to coach because of his size and speed but his intelligence and his toughness too.”

Collins clearly has the Giants’ attention. Let’s see if he can keep it.